Rangers match against Elgin postponed after too many tickets sold

Rangers were left stunned when their trip to face Elgin City was postponed in bizarre circumstances - after the Moray club sold too many tickets.

Grampian Police were unhappy that Elgin could not confirm exactly how many fans would be attending tomorrow's Third Division encounter.

And, amid fears that the 4,500-capacity of Borough Briggs could be exceeded by more than a thousand, the force intervened to call off the match on safety grounds.

Are you sure? Rangers boss Ally McCoist trying to sell MORE tickets (albeit for home games)

It is a major embarrassment for Elgin and comes as a double blow given that the midday kick-off was due to be screened on ESPN.

The Scottish Football League are
launching a full investigation into the extraordinary cancellation,
while Elgin have issued an apology.

The potentially dangerous situation
only surfaced late yesterday afternoon after talks between police,
council and club officials.

'On Friday afternoon it came to
light that tickets for Saturday's Elgin City versus Rangers fixture had
been substantially oversold,' said Match Commander Superintendent Mark
Cooper.

'After discussions with the club it
was clear that we were faced with the prospect of at least 1100 extra
fans turning up for what was an already sold-out fixture.

'We understand that fans will be
disappointed with the cancellation of this match, but our primary
concern always has to be safety and we could not allow a situation that
potentially put lives or the welfare of the general public at risk.'

Many Rangers fans have already
arranged lengthy trips for the match, including overnight stays, but
could have faced the prospect of being turned away at the turnstiles.

'We are extremely disappointed to have to ask the club to cancel the game,' said a spokesman for Moray Council.

'It is certainly not a decision
anyone involved has taken lightly. We know how thousands of fans have
been looking forward to the match, but there is a real risk to their
safety here. The ground can only take 4500, so another 1000-plus
disappointed fans with nowhere to go is a major concern.'

Elgin boss Ross Jack was left
bewildered by the news and was last night still seeking more information
from club officials at the centre of the shambles.

'I'm waiting on some return calls before I can say too much,' said Jack.

'It goes without saying it is
bitterly-disappointing for everyone connected with the club for a match
of this magnitude to be called off at this late stage. The players and
everybody at the club have been looking forward to the game hugely.'

Small capacity: The number of tickets sold for the clash here at Borough Briggs was far too high

'It is just totally gutting,' said
the 24-year-old. 'It is very rare indeed for players at our level in the
game to be preparing for a live game on satellite television against
one half of the Old Firm.

'Most of the lads had 20 to 25 friends and family all set to come along and watch the match and make a big day of it.

'There will be a huge knock-on effect
for businesses who will have been booked up for the day. 'So many
people will be affected by this and there are going to have to be
answers as to why it happened.

'The players, like everyone else, will want to know the truth as to the ins and outs of why the game is off.

'I'm afraid it is just embarrassing, given all the attention surrounding the match and the occasion.'

Rangers are currently two points
ahead of Elgin at the top of the Third Division table but will now face a
free weekend through no fault of their own. Ironically, they face Elgin
at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup fourth round a week tomorrow.

'We are disappointed the match has
been called off at such short notice and I know Elgin are as well,' said
Ibrox boss Ally McCoist.

'This was due to circumstances
outwith our control, but we were informed a short time ago that there
was no way the match could go ahead on safety grounds.

'I am sure this is a huge disappointment to our supporters who have purchased match tickets and arranged travel in good faith.

'Elgin City have apologised to the
club and we accept their apology, but I feel for our fans.' The SFL have
yet to confirm a new date for the match and fans are being advised to
retain tickets.

'Further information regarding
tickets which have been sold will be provided as quickly as possible,'
said a statement on the SFL website.

'Elgin City would like to apologise
sincerely for this disappointing outcome. The SFL will conduct a ful l
investigation into the circumstances.'